What is a half-man and half-horse called?

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Quick Answer

A centaur is a mythological creature with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a horse. The centaur's upper body typically included a human-like head, arms and torso, while the lower portion consisted of a horse's body and legs.

Centaurs originated in Greek myths and were said to live in the mountainous regions of Thessaly and Arcadia. They were likely inspired by earlier Greek literature that told of a savage Thessalian tribe known for riding on horseback. Illustrations of centaurs evolved from depicting a full human body with a horse body attached at the rear to the more popular image that features a human body from head to waist. In mythology, they are said to be descended from King Ixion of the Lapiths, and they are often referred to as accompanying the god Dionysus.

Related Questions

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